The midlife fifth-generation 3-Series makes its first impressions with its exterior and passenger cabin. What’s different in the case of the E90 3-Series four-door is that the all-new version introduced in 2005 has been an enthusiast favorite, whereas the 7-Series has received little else but sharp ridicule for its exterior design and the horrid earlier versions of the iDrive system, since going on sale in 2000.
All we can think of to criticize the E90, in fact, is the mainstream pinched look of the tail end, because so far as driving dynamics go, the 3-Series never displeases with class-best handling and ride characteristics. Close to half of all BMW production is made up of 3-Series models, and the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class (not to mention any Japanese competitor) have spent their entire lives trying to keep up. Just as the newest C-Class seemed to catch the 3-Series, however, now we get this new 3 to keep the premium Bimmer on top of the pile.
At the beginning of 2009 after January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, BMW introduces its diesel initiative to the North American market with the 335d. At the time of its announcement several months back this move was a little surprising, since we only expected the X5 to come with the 35d motor. Well, times in the U.S. market have changed drastically for the worse and now the 335d almost doesn’t seem to be strong enough medicine. What we drove on this test for most of the day was the outstanding new 330d with its variable turbine geometry turbocharger. The 335i sedan we also drove is still spectacular, too, but it’s cars like the 330d that could have Americans warming to diesel in droves. Continue reading Test Drive 2009 BMW 330d
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